Saltfleet to Strategy - Enhancing the - Management

Frequently asked questions

March 2021

Why are we doing this scheme? The Lincolnshire coastal plain has had a long history of flooding from the and many forms of defence are now in place including dunes, seawalls, rock/timber structures and . By restoring beach levels lost over the year, the Environment Agency protects its hard sea defences from the impact of waves and . Since 1994, we have nourished the beaches in Lincolnshire, between and , with sand to provide a wide defence which reduces the impact of wave action and tides, in combination with the existing hard and soft flood defences. Without beach nourishment, there would be little sand left on the beaches. The sand plays a vital part in protecting the defences. Without this protection, there would be an increased chance of the defence becoming breached during stormy weather. Large areas of land behind the seawall are at or below sea level and such breaches would be devasting for homes, businesses and agriculture. The sandy beaches not only help to protect and preserve the defences but also provide an ideal attraction for tourists visiting the area.

How does beach nourishment work? We carry out a survey before works begin to calculate how much sand needs to be replaced following winter storms. A trailing suction hopper dredger heads out to licensed offshore sites in and collects sand from the sea bed. Twice a day, just before high reaches its peak, the dredger moves closer to the shoreline and connects to a steel and rubber pipeline. The HAM316 dredger then pumps the collected sand through a 630m long pipeline onto the beach. We use heavy machinery to move the sand to where it’s needed. This rebuilds the profile of the beach, replacing sand lost to erosion. Increasing the depth of sand helps protect the sea defences from wave-action. We work around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week between May and the summer holidays. Through this work, we will replace sand lost to erosion, reducing wave overtopping during storms and protecting the sea defences from being damaged.

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Where will we be working? Following the Coronavirus lockdown last year, mobilisation and site set up started in May with dredging starting at the beginning of June. This year, we will start mobilisation before the Easter holidays and start dredging after the holidays in April. We will make every effort to avoid working during the school holidays subject to any delays. The programme will of course be subject to change due to uncertainties around possible further restrictions coming into force. The beach will be nourished along the between and Gibraltar Point in the following locations: , Trunch Lane, Wolla Bank/ Chapel Six , Boygrift, and .

How long will the work last? The beach nourishment happens every year and takes approximately 6 – 8 weeks depending on the weather conditions. The works take place 24 hours per day including weekends and any bank holidays.

How are we working around Coronavirus? Coronavirus is causing concern across the country for everyone, both personally and